The funding review which will determine the future shape of higher education will not report until after the forthcoming General Election. With business being strongly represented on the review group there are early indications that the review will advocate an increase in fees, and a removal of the cap. In order to protect members’ interests and those of future members’ interests we will need to apply pressure to candidates and political parties who will be sitting in parliament when any future legislation is tabled.
More candidates need our votes
The upcoming election will be one of the least predictable that we have seen in many years. Many pundits are talking seriously about the prospect of a hung parliament, a huge turnover of MPs is expected as well as many ‘new’ MPs being elected. These conditions make this the best time to influence prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) and sitting MPs on the issue of higher education funding.
Students represent a significant proportion of the electorate in a number of constituencies. Nationally students compose 15% of the electorate but are traditionally a low participation group in elections. As a result of low participation rates student issues are often neglected and NUS’ bargaining power is undermined.
Students can swing consistencies
In 2005 many ‘university’ seats changed hands, and students were widely believed to have been the determining factor. In many marginal constituencies the impact of lots of a students voting could swing the election result for that seat making us a key target for PPCs; increasing the influence that we can have at this time. This General Election is a real opportunity for the student movement and those concerned about the future of higher education to get commitments from candidates seeking students’ votes. With lots of students voting NUS will be able to demonstrate the students are key constituents and that their issues are important to candidates who want to remain in power.